00748767

Monograph

The innovative Spinning Grating (Trademark) Antenna developed as a result of this project is a low-cost millimeter wave (MMW) antenna that can be applied to collision avoidance systems for both railroads and automobiles. The antenna is unique in that it uses the optical phenomenon of diffraction to define and steer a beam of MMW energy. It is both low in cost and reliable, ideal features for the transportation market. In the rail industry, the focus of the project was on the application of the antenna to MMW sensors that can reliably detect the presence of an object in the path of a train resulting in action that can be taken to prevent a collision. In the automotive industry, MMW sensor systems used for collision warning functions and intelligent cruise control are already available for limited markets. Low-cost scanning antennas are expected to hasten the acceptance of these systems to the automotive consumer.

This ITS-IDEA project was conducted by Waveband Corporation, Torrance, California. The ITS-IDEA program is jointly sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Federal Railroad Administration.

TRB IDEA ITS-29,
Final Report

DTFH61-92-X-00026

English

22 p.

1996-10-31

ITS-IDEA Program Project Final Report

9510-9610

Figures (17) ; Photos (6) ; References (8) ; Tables (4)

Antennas; Autonomous intelligent cruise control; Crash avoidance systems; Intelligent transportation systems; Proximity detectors; Reliability; Technological innovations

Low cost

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety

TRIS, TRB

May 20 1998 12:00AM